Submitted Public Documents Confirm Credentialing and Funding Violations in Etiwanda USD Preschool Program

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Antoinette Jensen, Whistleblower, Filed Safety Reports and Was Constructively Terminated

Rancho Cucamonga, CA — Submitted public documents confirm that Etiwanda School District (ESD) operated a preschool program where Transitional Kindergarten (TK) students were placed into preschool classrooms staffed by individuals without the required credentials. During this time, the district collected monthly tuition from families while also receiving public funding through LCFF, Special Education, ELO-P grants, and Medi-Cal billing.

Between 2022 and 2023, Antoinette Jensen, a former early childhood educator and mandatory reporter, submitted internal safety and credentialing complaints. She was later constructively terminated.

Financial Summary (2008–2023)

  • Parent Tuition Revenue: $4.5 – $9 million
  • Public Funding Received: Approx. $15 million
     (Includes LCFF, SPED, ELO-P, and Medi-Cal billing)
  • Total Estimated Program Funding: $19.5 – $24 million
     (Combined private tuition and public funding in the same program)

Key Findings from Public Documents

  • TK students were enrolled in the CLOUDS preschool program under a dual-enrollment model as described in the district’s 2022 UPK Plan.
  • Classrooms were staffed by Child Development Permit holders, not credentialed TK teachers.
  • The Commission on Teacher Credentialing (CTC) confirmed that TK assignments require a multiple-subject credential.
  • The district’s 2021 LCAP reported “zero teacher mis assignments” during the same time period.
  • The district declined participation in the California State Preschool Program (CSPP), avoiding standard state oversight.
  • ELO-P grant funds were applied to instructional hours, contrary to program intent.

Alta Loma USD Comparison

Alta Loma School District’s CHAMPS preschool program also charges tuition to general education students enrolled in special education inclusion classrooms. On May 7, 2025, the district approved a tuition increase to $360/month, with a $50 registration fee, per its public board agenda. The CHAMPS program operates on public campuses and uses public staff while collecting fees from families.

This model mirrors practices documented in Etiwanda USD, where families were also charged tuition while the district received multiple public funding streams.

Lack of Transparency in Local Control and Accountability Plans

Neither Etiwanda USD nor Alta Loma USD disclosed tuition revenue from general education students in their Local Control and Accountability Plans. Both districts accepted public education funds while running preschool programs that required monthly tuition payments from families. These practices do not appear in budget sections, funding goal narratives, or compliance reporting tables in the most recently available LCAPs.

Requested Oversight Actions

  • California Department of Education (CDE) – program compliance audit
  • Commission on Teacher Credentialing (CTC) – credential review
  • State Controller and Medicaid Fraud Control Unit – financial review
  • San Bernardino County Grand Jury – governance and retaliation investigation(etiwanda.k12.ca.us, Cloudinary, alsd.k12.ca.us)

Supporting Public Documents

Contact:
 Antoinette Jensen, Whistleblower
 📧 tonijensen333@gmail.com
 📧 CJPAM512@gmail.com

Submitted Public Documents Confirm Credentialing and Funding Violations in Etiwanda USD Preschool Program

Antoinette Jensen, Whistleblower, Filed Safety Reports and Was Constructively Terminated

Rancho Cucamonga, CA — Submitted public documents confirm that Etiwanda School District (ESD) operated a preschool program where Transitional Kindergarten (TK) students were placed into preschool classrooms staffed by individuals without the required credentials. During this time, the district collected monthly tuition from families while also receiving public funding through LCFF, Special Education, ELO-P grants, and Medi-Cal billing.

Between 2022 and 2023, Antoinette Jensen, a former early childhood educator and mandatory reporter, submitted internal safety and credentialing complaints. She was later constructively terminated.

Financial Summary (2008–2023)

  • Parent Tuition Revenue: $4.5 – $9 million

  • Public Funding Received: Approx. $15 million
     (Includes LCFF, SPED, ELO-P, and Medi-Cal billing)

  • Total Estimated Program Funding: $19.5 – $24 million
     (Combined private tuition and public funding in the same program)

Key Findings from Public Documents

  • TK students were enrolled in the CLOUDS preschool program under a dual-enrollment model as described in the district’s 2022 UPK Plan.

  • Classrooms were staffed by Child Development Permit holders, not credentialed TK teachers.

  • The Commission on Teacher Credentialing (CTC) confirmed that TK assignments require a multiple-subject credential.

  • The district’s 2021 LCAP reported “zero teacher mis assignments” during the same time period.

  • The district declined participation in the California State Preschool Program (CSPP), avoiding standard state oversight.

  • ELO-P grant funds were applied to instructional hours, contrary to program intent.

Alta Loma USD Comparison

Alta Loma School District’s CHAMPS preschool program also charges tuition to general education students enrolled in special education inclusion classrooms. On May 7, 2025, the district approved a tuition increase to $360/month, with a $50 registration fee, per its public board agenda. The CHAMPS program operates on public campuses and uses public staff while collecting fees from families.

This model mirrors practices documented in Etiwanda USD, where families were also charged tuition while the district received multiple public funding streams.

Lack of Transparency in LCAPs

Neither Etiwanda USD nor Alta Loma USD disclosed tuition revenue from general education students in their LCAPs. Both districts accepted public education funds while running preschool programs that required monthly tuition payments from families. These practices do not appear in budget sections, funding goal narratives, or compliance reporting tables in the most recently available LCAPs.

Requested Oversight Actions

  • California Department of Education (CDE) – program compliance audit

  • Commission on Teacher Credentialing (CTC) – credential review

  • State Controller and Medicaid Fraud Control Unit – financial review

  • San Bernardino County Grand Jury – governance and retaliation investigation(etiwanda.k12.ca.us, Cloudinary, alsd.k12.ca.us)

Supporting Public Documents

Contact:
 Antoinette Jensen, Whistleblower
 📧 tonijensen333@gmail.com
 📧 CJPAM512@gmail.com

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